JEDDAH: Following a series of high-profile meetings with the Saudi leadership, which resulted in King Salman ordering the easing of border restrictions and offering to cover all costs for Qatari pilgrims who wish to embark on this year’s Hajj, the recently-launched Twitter account of Sheikh Abdullah bin Ali Al-Thani, a senior member of the Qatari royal family, became an instant hit among Arabs who voiced hope that he could achieve a full reconciliation between Doha and members of the Anti-Terror Quartet (ATQ), including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt.
Last night, Sheikh Abdullah used his first Twitter post to thank King Salman for ensuring that Qatari pilgrims can take part in this year’s Hajj.
Sheikh Abdullah is regarded as an influential mediator, both in Saudi Arabia and by scores the region, given that he is a member of the Qatari royal family. His grandfather was the third ruler of Qatar, Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassem Al-Thani, his father was the fourth ruler of Qatar, Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah Al-Thani, and his brother was the fifth ruler of Qatar, Sheikh Ahmed bin Ali Al-Thani. 
Sheikh Abdullah also tweeted that he requested that King Salman establish a hotline for Qataris who wish to visit relatives in Saudi Arabia.
“The king, as usual, approved my request and ordered the allocation of a special operations room to handle Qatari affairs run by a Saudi crew under my supervision, in light of the severed ties (between the two countries).”
He went on to share the hotline number, saying: “The special operations room for (the) Qatari people — from pilgrims (to) visitors and business owners — (is) 00966122367999.”
He added: “I call on all my brothers in Qatar, and those in need, to contact the number and their matters will be solved, God willing.”
He later addressed rumors that Qatari currency would no longer be allowed in Saudi Arabia, saying: “I asked my brother, the governor of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA), about the accuracy of the suspension of the Qatari Riyal exchange for Qatari citizens and (he) denied the news.”
Meanwhile, many other users suggested he is a “sheikh of wisdom, voice of reason and a mediator for good.”
Others, mainly media personalities linked to Doha, have been skeptical of Sheikh Abdullah’s efforts and sought to ridicule his role and say that he does not represent the Qatari people or government.
For his part, Sheikh Abdullah went on to explain the intentions behind his mediation efforts, saying that he is working for the benefit and comfort of the Qatari people.
“The descendant of the rulers came looking for the interests of the brotherly Qatari people after the politically-adolescent approach adopted by the government of Qatar,” said one Twitter user.
Earlier, the Saudi king approved a plan to re-open the Salwa border crossing between Saudi Arabia and Qatar and also approved the dispatch of a private aircraft from Saudia’s fleet to Doha to fly Qatari pilgrims to Jeddah.
Qatari pilgrims were also allowed to pass through the border crossing for Hajj without electronic permits.
It has been nearly three months since the Anti-Terror Quartet severed ties with Doha over accusations of its support for terror and meddling in the internal affairs of its neighbors. Many world leaders and top diplomats, including the emir of Kuwait, have tried mediating but none have been successful in ending the rift.
‘Voice of reason’: Arab tweeps welcome Qatar’s Sheikh Abdullah as possible mediator to end rift with Doha
‘Voice of reason’: Arab tweeps welcome Qatar’s Sheikh Abdullah as possible mediator to end rift with Doha
Saudi director Shahad Ameen’s ‘Hijra’ set to wrap filming
- This is the director’s second movie following her debut feature film “Scales,” which premiered at the 76th edition of the Venice Film Festival
- Once filming wraps, editing will take place in Paris under the guidance of Hervé de Luz
DUBAI: Saudi filmmaker Shahad Ameen is in the production phase of her latest film, “Hijra,” with the film set to be edited in Paris after filming wraps in May.
This is the director’s second movie following her debut feature film “Scales,” which toured international festivals and premiered at the 76th edition of the Venice Film Festival, where it received the Verona Film Club Award. “Scales” was also submitted to the Best International Feature Film category by the Kingdom at the 93rd Academy Awards.
Ameen began filming “Hijra” in March and is anticipated to wrap up shooting on May 24, according to a released statement.
The shooting locations encompass eight cities in the Kingdom: Taif, Jeddah, Madinah, Wadi Al-Faraa, AlUla, Tabuk, NEOM, and Duba.
The film follows the journey of a grandmother with her two granddaughters from Taif to Makkah. When the eldest granddaughter goes missing, they embark on a quest to the north of the Kingdom.
The film stars Saudi talents Khairiya Nazmi, Nawaf Al-Dhufairi and Lamar Feddan.
Once filming wraps, editing will take place in Paris under the guidance of Hervé de Luz, known for his work on “Jacques,” “Ghost Writer” and “The Pianist.”
The film’s crew also includes Chilean cinematographer Miguel Littin Menz and British set designer Chris Richmond.
In a released statement, Ameen said: “‘Hijra’ is one of the most difficult films I have worked on, and we are still halfway through. We are filming in eight different cities and remote areas. Still, the team and I fully believe in the importance of this story, which tells the story of Saudi women from different generations, and the conflict that ensues.
“All of this is in the plot of a road film that highlights the cultural and historical diversity of the Kingdom and stresses that the Kingdom was and still is a refuge for all people who sought safety in this holy land,” she added.
For “Hijra,” Ameen is teaming up with Iraqi filmmaker Mohamed Al-Daradji, Biet Ameen Production, the Iraqi Independent Film Center, Ideation Studio by Saudi producer Faisal Baltyuor, veteran Egyptian Mohamed Hefzy, Abboud Ayyash, Sayed Abou Haidar, the Red Sea Fund and Film AlUla for the production of the movie.
Hefzy said: “Having collaborated with Shahad on ‘Scales,’ we feel Shahad is onto something very special and more ambitious with ‘Hijra,’ and are only proud and eager to complete the journey with her and her producing team.”
The film has also received support from the Daw Initiative Saudi Film Commission, Ithra and NEOM.
EV transition targets out of reach without mining more copper than in all of history: IEF
RIYADH: The world needs to mine more than double the amount of copper ever excavated in human history if it wants to hit widespread electric vehicle targets, according to a new study.
Analysis by the International Energy Forum warns that unless the industry is rapidly expanded, there will not be enough of the metal available to ensure the 2025 EV adoption goals set by the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
According to the report, electrifying the global vehicle fleet would necessitate the opening of 55 percent more new copper mines by 2035 – and this expansion needs to be encouraged by governments.
The IEF study also warned that copper demand between 2018 and 2050 is set to be 115 percent greater than all of the metal that has ever been excavated before this point.
As a result, policy makers should consider shifting the focus from 100 percent electric vehicles to hybrid models to help stop the automotive industry dominating this resource, which is widely used across the economy.
“Under today’s policy settings for copper mining, it is highly unlikely that there will be enough additional new mines to achieve 100 percent electric vehicles by 2035, only the first small step toward decarbonization. So we need to manage this transition,” said Joseph McMonigle, secretary general of the IEF.
He added: “To make the best use of the available copper supply, governments should prioritize economy-wide electrification, which is the foundation of climate policy. Moreover, governments need to incentivize and support new copper mine projects because, without it, 100 percent adoption of EVs is not an achievable target.”
McMonigle said that the EV industry will continue to be a significant segment in the automotive market and “should continue to thrive based on consumer preference and the growing array of vehicles available, but 100 percent adoption by 2035 is unlikely.”
Hybrid electric vehicles an option to minimize copper demand
According to the report, copper plays a crucial role in electricity generation, distribution, and storage, and the adoption of EVs is one of the most effective solutions for reducing the reliance on fossil fuels.
However, unprecedented copper requirements of electric car batteries will compete with the electricity needs of countries which are in the early stages of development.
“Copper demand for EV manufacture could increase the price of copper very substantially and significantly impede the advance of less developed areas,” the report said.
The energy think tank said that manufacturing a traditional internal combustion engine vehicle requires 24 kg of copper, while an EV demands 60 kg.
On the other hand, a hybrid electric vehicle requires 29 kg of copper, which would have a negligible impact on the demand for metal.
“Policymakers might consider changing the vehicle electrification goal from 100 percent EV to 100 percent hybrid manufacture by 2035. This would allow for future output of existing and new copper mines to be used for the developing world to catch up with the developed world in electrification,” said IEF in the report.
According to the US Department of Energy, hybrid EVs are powered by an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors, which use the power stored in batteries.
A hybrid EV cannot be plugged in to charge the battery. Instead, the battery is charged through regenerative braking and by the internal combustion engine.
Citing a report by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, IEF further pointed out that EVs and hybrids scored similarly based on their cost to human health from air pollution associated with vehicle manufacturing and disposal, the production and distribution of fuel or electricity, and vehicle tailpipe emissions.
Responsible copper mining strategy to be encouraged
The energy forum also underscored the importance of encouraging responsible copper mining strategies by governments worldwide to meet the demand for this metal.
“The baseline outlook for copper supply in the report, based on historical trends, sees supply rising by 82 percent by 2050, peaking in 2086, and then falling sharply. However, the report also cites projections based on the pipeline of copper projects, which shows a decline in supply as soon as 2026,” said IEF.
It added: “The report argues that mining should be recognized as essential, and exploration and responsible copper mine development strongly encouraged.”
The analysis highlighted that the mining industry is facing various challenges including limited land access, low discovery rates and a 23-year lead time for mines to come into production.
The energy think tank added that governments are hesitant to approve mine permits even in areas where significant copper reserves are discovered.
According to IEF, the mining industry will need to explore and mine deeper to obtain the copper the world needs, while exploration in subsurface mines will be safer and have a smaller environmental footprint.
“The message that we may not be able to mine materials fast enough to meet humanity’s desires even if there are more than enough of these materials to meet all of humanity’s needs has proven difficult to effectively deliver, yet its effective delivery and subsequent discussion is necessary to the formulation of realistic energy resource policies,” said IEF.
In April, the International Energy Agency released an additional report stating that global battery production must be scaled up to meet the climate and energy security goals set at the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference.
During the COP28 summit, nearly 200 countries agreed to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030, double the pace of energy efficiency improvements, and transition away from fossil fuels.
The IEA report also added that ensuring energy security requires greater diversity in supply chains, including extracting and processing the critical minerals used in batteries.
North Highland to invest ‘millions of dollars’ in Saudi workforce development
RIYADH: US-based consulting firm North Highland, which recently relocated its headquarters to Riyadh, plans to invest “millions of dollars” in Saudi Arabia to bolster workforce capabilities in line with Vision 2030.
During an interview with Arab News, CEO Alex Bombeck emphasized the company’s focus on supporting the Kingdom’s economic growth and infrastructure, while also highlighting the importance of building a core team of Saudi nationals.
Speaking on the sidelines of the GREAT Futures conference in Riyadh, Bombeck said: “I would say we’re going to be able to bring experience and expertise from folks around the world to Saudi Arabia, but we have to focus on building a national team here in Riyadh.”
He revealed that the company has already hired employees here, and “we are bringing in more as quickly as we can.”
Bombeck added: “Our ambitions here are great, and we’re going to be investing millions of dollars.”
The CEO also emphasized the importance of digital upskilling, particularly among younger workers, who often bring “fresh perspectives and innovative ideas.”
This includes investing in their skills, which will not only “benefit the workforce but also align with the broader goals of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.”
“They’re not as constrained in their thinking, so I think not only can they bring digital thinking to us, but we can also help upskill them in certain technologies and platforms to help grow the workforce because the most important thing for us is one to bring value to the Kingdom,” Bombeck said.
He continued: “We’ve got to ensure that particularly the young portions of the workforce are bringing the differentiated thinking that they can offer and that when we think about stuff like generative AI, we’re actually seeing that some of our younger consultants are bringing fresher, more innovative ideas.”
During the two-day event, the management consulting firm held discussions with Saudi Commerce Minister Majid Al-Qasabi, Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih, and top executives from projects such as NEOM and Red Sea Global.
“Our focus is to take these super ambitious and high growth economic plans and to be able to actually see the value created from them,” Bombeck said.
He added: “In doing that, one of the things that we always focus on is how can we drive progress by being agile and continuously working in partnership with whether it be the Saudi government or in the private sector, to be learning as we go.”
The CEO concluded by emphasizing that Saudi Arabia “needs to be the best at getting better.”
Saudi influence expands as 8 new firms join MSCI’s Global and Small Cap Indexes
RIYADH: Eight new Saudi companies have joined MSCI’s global and small capital indexes, highlighting the Kingdom’s growing influence on the international investment landscape.
According to an official document, the financial solution provider has included SAL Saudi Logistics Services Co. in the MSCI Global Standard Index.
MSCI has also added seven stocks to the Small Cap Index, including Al-Babtain Power & Telecommunication, Etihad Atheeb Telecom, and the Mediterranean and Gulf Insurance and Reinsurance Group.
Additional inclusions comprised Middle Mast Pharmaceutical Industries Co., known as Avalon Pharma, Saudi Advanced Industries Co., Saudi Paper Manufacturing Co., and Walaa Cooperative Insurance Co.
Conversely, MSCI has removed six companies from the Small Cap Index: Amlak International for Real Estate Development & Finance Co., known as Amlak, Fawaz Abdulaziz Al Hokair & Co., known as Cenomi Retail, Methanol Chemicals Co., and Riyad REIT.
Additionally, Saudi Co. for Hardware and Saudi Arabian Refineries Co. have also been excluded.
As a result, the number of Saudi companies listed on the Small Cap Index now stands at 80, while the Global Standard Index includes 41 companies. MSCI stated that these changes will be implemented at market close on May 31.
The Saudi companies included in the MSCI Global Standard Index reflect the diverse and robust economic landscape of the Kingdom, with the oil giant Aramco leading the list.
The banking sector is represented by Al-Rajhi Bank, Riyad Bank, and Alinma Bank. It also includes Bank AlJazira, Bank AlBilad, and Saudi French Bank, as well as National Commercial Bank, SABB, and Saudi Investment Bank.
Industrial and petrochemical giants such as SABIC, Advanced Petrochemical, and Saudi Basic Industries Corp., as well as SABIC Agri-Nutrients, Kayan, Yansab, and Ma’aden, feature prominently in the global index, underscoring the Kingdom’s leadership in these fields. Telecommunications and technology are highlighted by stc and solutions by stc.
The healthcare sector includes Bupa Arabia for Cooperative Insurance Co., Dr Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Services Group Co., and Al-Mouwasat, as well as Dallah Healthcare, and Al-Nahdi Medical Co.
Retail and consumer goods are represented by Jarir Marketing Co., Almarai Co., and Savola Group, while the energy sector features Saudi Electricity Co., ACWA Power, and Power and Water Utility Co. for Jubail and Yanbu.
Additional key players include Saudi Research and Media Group, known as SRMG, Tadawul Group, and Luberef. The list also features the Co. for Cooperative Insurance, ADES Holding Co., and SAL Saudi Logistics Services Co., illustrating the wide-ranging and dynamic nature of Saudi Arabia’s corporate environment.
The Saudi companies in the MSCI Small Cap Index also represent diverse sectors, including Saudi Cement, Ataa Educational Co., Al-Rajhi Takaful, eXtra, and Arriyadh Development Co., known as Tameer.
MSCI stands as a premier provider of essential decision support tools and services for the worldwide investment community, according to its website.
Erdogan says Israel will ‘set sights’ on Turkiye if Hamas defeated
- Turkish leader on Monday said more than 1,000 members of Hamas were being treated in Turkish hospitals
Erdogan, a vocal critic of Israel’s war in the Palestinian territory following Hamas’s attack on October 7, has often expressed support for the Palestinian group as defenders of their homeland.
Hamas is classed as a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States and the European Union, among others.
“Do not think that Israel will stop in Gaza,” Erdogan told his party lawmakers in the parliament in the capital Ankara.
“Unless it’s stopped... this rogue and terrorist state will set its sights on Anatolia sooner or later,” he said, referring to the large Turkish peninsula also called Asia Minor that comprises more than half of Turkiye’s territory.
“We will continue to stand by Hamas, which fights for the independence of its own land and which defends Anatolia,” added Erdogan.
The Turkish leader on Monday said more than 1,000 members of Hamas were being treated in Turkish hospitals amid the ongoing war in Gaza.
The October 7 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of more than 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.
Militants also seized some 250 hostages, 128 of whom Israel estimates remain in Gaza, including 36 the military says are dead.
Israel’s bombardment and offensive in Gaza have killed more than 35,000 people, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.
